Building



June 24, 1941. Q CHELAZZ] I 2,247,186

' BUILDING I Filed Feb. 21, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 1 June 24, 1941. P. c. CHELAZZI 2,247,186

BUILDING Filed Feb. 21, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 2 N) R a g) If N I; I

K? m I Q b *4 K a a jwuanloz, H P102 c. o/z/izz Q w L June 24, 1941.

P. c. CHELAZZI 2,247,186

BUILDI'NG Filed Feb. 21, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 24, 194?].

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Paul C. Chelazzi, Shanghai, China, assignor to Charles John Doughty, Shanghai, China Application February 21, 1941, Serial No. 380;)44

(ill. lilii-l) 11 Claims.

The present invention relates to buildings and more particularly pertains to structural features of buildings providing relatively large spaces therein unobstructed by vertical supports or columns. The invention more specifically concerns buildings adapted for use as airplane hangars.

An object of the invention resides in providing arch and suspension systems in the structural features of a building so combined as to take the best advantage of the mechanical fitness of the elements employed in the constructing of the building.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a building employing structural elements susceptible of fabrication or prefabrication and manufacturethereof in a shop requiring only the assembly of the structural elements at the building site.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a plurality of arched beams pivotally supported fixed or resting at one end thereof and supported at their other ends by tension means so as to provide relatively large unobstructed spaces under the arched members suitable for carrying out manufacturing operations therein or for housing airplanes or other relatively large vehicles or articles.

A more specific object of the invention includes the provision of supported arched beams for the building which are further supported by tensioned suspension means or a linear inverted arch system so arranged that the inward pull at the anchoring posts exerted by the tension means is substantially neutralized by the outward thrust of the arched beams.

Other objects and features of the invention will be more apparent from a consideration of the accompanying drawings and the following description wherein several exemplary embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view partly in sec tion illustrating structural features of a building embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the building shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevaticnal view partly in section of parts of a building similarto the structural features of Fig. 1.

Fig. & is an enlarged end elevational View of one end of a hinged connection for one arched beam.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the hinge connection of the arched beams on the vertical support of the building.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the vertical column illustrating the hinge connection of the arched beams in plan.

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of a modified building embodying the architectural features of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational View of parts of the building shown in Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1 there is shown at iii a support which may consist of a relatively large post suitably anchored in the ground. The post is provided with an ofiset shoulder at l l and the support extends upwardly therefrom in the form of a substantially vertical column 12. Such vertical supports are arranged at longitudinally spaced intervals of the building as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The building includes similar vertical sup-ports l5 spaced from the supports H3 and the vertical posts it are longitudinally spaced along the building corresponding to the spacing of the supports iii. Each vertical post i l is provided with a shoulder it as shown in Fig. 1 and each of the vertical supports terminates in a vertical column ll. These columns and posts may be formed of any suitable material and are preferably rigid.

In carrying out the invention an arched member 58 rests on or is pivotally supported at one end it on the post It). The arched member 18 extends upwardly from the post iii and curves downwardly at the end 2! which is pivotally supported on the post Hi or may rest on the post I i. The arched member it may be formed of any substantially rigid material to provide a beam extending laterally between the support It] and the support Hi. Such an arched beam i8 is arranged transversely of the building on each pair of the posts Hi and ii.

A building embodying the invention includes an arched member 22 pivotally supported at one end 23 on the post It or resting thereon. The arched member 22 may be formed of suitable rigid material such as a steel beam and the free end 26 projects laterally from the post ill above the ground or base floor 2'6 of the building.

A similar arched beam 21 is provided extending laterally from the post Hi. The substantially rigid arched beam 21' is pivotally supported on the post M or resting thereon at the inner end thereof and the free end of the beam 21 is likewise positioned above the ground floor 25 of the building. It will be understood that the arched beam 22 and the arched beam 21 are provided to extend outwardly of the building from each of the posts it and M. It will be noted that in the above example pi'votally supported arched members have been assumed although the same may be fixed to or simply resting on their supports.

In carrying out the invention the free ends of the arched beams 22 and 2? are supported by suitable tension means such as a cable or other flexible tension. member 3i. The tension means 3! such as a cable is connected to the free end 24 of the arched beam 22 as indicated at 32 in Fig. 1.

The cable 3| passes over the column I2 adjacent the top thereof and the cable may be Suitably secured to the column l2 at 33. The tension means 3| extends from the point 33 to the column I1 and downwardly therefrom and is connected to the free end of the arched beam 2?. This latter connection is not shown in Fig. 1 but the connecting means is illustrated to the right in Fig. 3 and is similar to the arrangement shown at 32' in Fig. 1. The tension, means 3| may like- I wise be secured to the column H at the point 34 It will be appreciated that the tension means 3| may be formed of individual parts suitably connected at the points 33 and 34. It is to be understood that tension means such as the cable 3| is arranged transversely of the building and such a transverse cable is provided for each group of outwardly extending arched members 22 and 27.

The tension means such as the cable 3! in termediate the columns l2 and H is adapted to support the roof indicated at 36. Purlins 3? may be provided extending longitudinally of the building supported by the transverse cables 3|. Such longitudinally extending purlins 3'5 support the roof, the lateral portions 38 of which are suspended from the cable 3| by means of hanger 39 while the central portion of the roof is supported by vertical members 46. Thus considerable weight is supported by the transverse cables 3| and such forces tend to lower the center of the cables SI and provide inward pulling forces on the columns I2 and IT.

The arched beams 22 and 21 may support a series of floors or stories thereon as indicated at 4| in Fig. 1 or these arched beams 22 and 21 may support roof parts #2 thereon as shown in Fig. 3. The weight supported on the arched beams 22 and 21 and the downward and outward thrust thereof is imparted to portions 66 and C of the tension means 3| and tends to pull the columns l2 and I1 outwardly. The downward and outward pull of the cable portions 46 and M are substantially neutralized by the inward forces resulting from the weight of the roof assembly intermediate the columns l2 and i1.

A series of floors or stories may be arranged over the central transverse beams l8 intermediate the columns l2 and H. The framework for such floors and ceiling parts of the building may be supported in any conventional manner on the transverse beams l8 and the columns Hi and the supporting columns l2 and H.

The manner in which the roof is supported on the tension means 3| intermediate the columns l2 and H may be modified as shown in Fig. 3. In this building assembly the entire roof 4% is suspended by means of hangers 39 from the tension means 3|.

A building embodying the features as herein shown and described provides relatively large unobstructed spaces and renders such buildings suitable for airplane hangars and for manufacturing purposes wherein relatively large areas are required free from vertical supports or colurnns. It will be noted for example that the spaces under the arched lateral beams 2.2 and 2'! are completely free and are therefore suitable for storing airplanes which may enter and leave the building under the free ends of the arched beams 22 and 21. The length of the arched beams 22 and 21 may vary in proportion to the length of the beams IS and a building such as shown in Fig. 3 provides considerable unobstructed space under the arched members ,of the cables 59.

22 and 21. The weight of the roof 42 and the loads provided by th stories 4| is supported by the cable portions 46 and 41 and these load forces substantially neutralize the load of the roof supported on the cables intermediate the columns l2 and H.

The basic architectural features of the building hereinabove described may be embodied in a modified building construction as shown in Figs. '7 and 8. In this embodiment of the invention an arched beam 5! is provided extending upwardly and outwardly from the ground floor as shown in Fig. '7. The beam 5| is preferably hinged at 52 to a suitable support and the free end 53 is positioned above the ground floor 26. A similar arched beam 54 is hinged to a suitable support at 56 and the beam 5d extends upwardly and outwardly therefrom whereby the free end 51 is positioned above the ground floor 26 as shown in Fig. 7.

In carrying out the invention tension means 59 is provided extending between the free ends of the beams 5| and 54. The tension means may be formed of any suitable flexible element such as a cable or like means suitably connected to the free ends of the beams El and 56. Similar assembled beams are arranged transversely of the building at longitudinally spaced intervals.

A series of floors or stories 6| may be supported over the inner end portions of the beams 5| .and 56. A roof 62 for such parts of the building is supported by intermediate portions of the cables 59. Thus the weight of the roof 62 tends to create inward pulling forces at the ends The central portion of the cable 5 may be tied to the arch members 5| and 5 3 by means of straps or ties 6|]. These inward pulling forces, however, are substantially neutralized by the downward and outward thrust of the beams 5| and 54. The roof por- "tions 53 and 64 are supported on the arched tralized by the inward pulling forces imparted by the roof 62 and other elements suspended from the intermediate portion of the cables 59.

The spaces iii and H under the free ends of 1e beams 5| and 54 are thus relatively large and unobstructed so as to provide housing for large objects such as airplanes.

In order to prevent pivotal movement of the building on the central supporting means 72 removable straps 1-3 are provided at spaced intervals along the length of the building. The position of these straps 13 may therefore be adjusted to provide relatively large entrance spaces for airplanes and like articles.

The lateral sides of the building may be closed by means of sliding doors indicated generally at P5. These doors may be suitably suspended in any conventional manner from the upper ends of the beams 5| and 54. The beams 5| and 54 are reinforced to prevent twisting thereof by means of cables i5 and H or similar flexible means as shown in Fig. 8. One cable'lfi for example is suitably connected to a top portion of a bracket 78 and to the lower portion of a bracket 19. The cable H is suitably connected to the bottom portion of the bracket 78 and the top portion of the bracket 19. The brackets 18 and 79 are rigidly mounted on the ends of the beams 5| and 54.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific structural details it will be appreciated that various structural elements may be employed in carrying out the invention. Such modifications and various building structural elements may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

. 1. In a building, an arch member pivotally supported at one end and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom, a second arch member pivotally supported at one end extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom in a direction opposite to the first arch member, tension means connecting free ends of said arch members supporting the free ends above the ground, and a roof supported on said tension means intermediate the free ends of said arch members.

2. In a building, an arch member fixed at one end and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom, a second arch member fixed at one end extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom in a direction opposite to the first arch member, tension means connecting free ends of said arch members supporting the free ends above the ground, and a roof supported on said tension means intermediate the free ends of said arch members.

3. In a building, supporting means, an arch member pivotally mounted on the supporting means and extending laterally therefrom above the ground, a second arch member pivotally mounted on the supporting means and extending laterally therefrom above the ground in a direction opposite to the first arch member, a roof for the building arranged above the arch members', tension means connecting free ends of the arch members supporting the free ends of said arch members above the ground, and means supporting the roof on said tension means intermediate the free ends of the arch members.

4. In a building, a substantially vertical post, an arch member pivotally supported on said post and extending laterally therefrom, a second substantially vertical post, a second arch member extending from the first post to the second post and supported on said posts, a third arch member pivotally supported on the second post and extending laterally therefrom above the ground, tension means connecting the free ends of the first and third arch members and supported on said posts.

5. In a building, a substantially vertical post, an arch member pivotally supported on said post, and extending laterally therefrom, a second substantially vertical post, a second arch member extending from the first post to the second post and supported on said posts, a third arch member pivotally supported on the second post and extending laterally therefrom above the ground, tension means connecting the free ends of the first and third arch members and supported on said posts, and a roof supported on the first and third arch members.

6. In a building, a substantially vertical post, an arch member pivotally supported on said post and extending laterally therefrom, a second substantially vertical post, a second arch member extending from the first post to the second post and supported on said posts, a third arch member pivotally supported on the second post and extending laterally therefrom above the ground, tension means connecting the free ends of the first and third arch members and supported on said posts, a roof supported on the first and third arch members, and stories supported on the second arch member.

7. In a building, a substantially vertical post, an arch member pivotally supported on said post and extending laterally therefrom, a second substantially vertical post, a second arch member extending from the first post to the second post and supported on said posts, a third arch member pivotally supported on the second post and extending laterally therefrom above the ground, tension means connecting the free ends of the first and third arch members and supported on said posts, a roof supported on the first and third arch members, and a roof supported by the tension means intermediate said posts.

8. In a building, a substantially vertical post, an arch member pivotally supported on said post and extending laterally therefrom, a second substantially vertical post, a second arch member extending from the first post to the second post and supported on said posts, a third arch member pivotally supported on the second post and extending laterally therefrom on the ground, tension means connecting the free ends of the first and third arch members and supported on said posts, and stories supported on the first and third arch members.

9. In a building, supporting means, a substantially rigid arched beam pivotally supported on said supporting means extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom terminating at the free end above the ground, a second substantially rigid arched beam pivotally supported on said supporting means extending upwardly and outwardly in an opposite direction terminating at the free end above the ground, a cable connecting the free ends of said beams and maintaining the free ends thereof above the ground, and a roof supported on said cable over said supporting means.

10. In a building, supporting means, a substantially rigid arched beam pivotally supported on said supporting means extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom terminating at the free end above the ground, a second substantially rigid arched beam pivotally supported on said supporting means extending upwardly and outwardly in an opposite direction terminating at the free end above the ground, a cable connecting the free ends of said beams and maintaining the free ends thereof above the ground, a roof supported on said cable over said supporting means, and stories supported on said arched beams.

11. In a building, supporting means, a substantially rigid arched beam pivotally supported on said supporting means extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom terminating at the free end above the ground, a second substantially rigid arched beam pivotally supported on said supporting means extending upwardly and outwardly in an opposite direction terminating at the free end above the ground, a cable connecting the free ends of said beams and maintaining the free ends thereof above the ground, a roof supported on said cable over said supporting means, and removable straps connecting the free end of said beams With the ground.

PAUL C. CHELAZZI. 

